Bubbling sounds echoed throughout the area as Cyrus dragged his feet on the marble floor, slowly approaching his destination. The familiar neoclassical architecture with pillars and elegant columns of stonework paid homage to a bygone era.

Standing there, he could hear the rustling of winds in the lush greenery of the manor spanning the horizon. His body trembled slightly as he inhaled the refreshing air. To the side of the façade, a round water jacuzzi sparkled and bubbled under the gentle glow of ambient lighting.

Suddenly, a few figures emerged from within. First, two muscular young men with well-sculpted bodies and imposing frames rose out of the water. Next came a familiar figure, and Cyrus's eyes unknowingly darted to her exposed chest.

She waved, and the two men bowed and left the jacuzzi, their faces showing total disregard for Cyrus's presence. "Want to join me? The water is perfect tonight," the queen said with a little smile at his embarrassed look.

"No, I... I'm not here for that," he blurted out, his gaze focused on the distant scenery.

"Why have you interrupted me then? You better have a good reason," she said, rising out of the water. Without any hint of disturbance, she gracefully walked to pick up her bathrobe and dry herself.

"I need more money. I want to buy my father's freedom from the mines," he said, his gaze hardening as it fell back on her. In front of his parents' freedom, some embarrassment was no big deal.

The queen smiled, "How do you find me? Still old?" Cyrus stumbled for words, taken aback by her sudden question, but quickly returned to seriousness. "I will find the primordial canine as agreed, but I want enough to free my parents. You're rich, it shouldn't be difficult."

"Who told you you could negotiate with me? You miserable thing, you're only alive because of me," she snapped. Cyrus felt an immense pressure crashing on him, sending his body to his knees. His muscles trembled, cold sweat trickling down his face.

He gritted his teeth, desperately trying to force himself up, but to no avail. The difference was far too great. He lifted his head, meeting the naked figure before him with a gaze full of hatred and anger. How naive he had been to think they were good people. For her, he was nothing more than a pawn.

"You belong entirely to me," she said, holding his chin. "Your life, your memories, and your future. The next time you dare to threaten me... oh, darling, I wouldn't want to do something we might both find regretful," she whispered.

Cyrus trembled, cold sweat trickling down his back. "Then kill me. There's no point in living like this. I can't bear to see my family like this. Kill me, I beg of you," he gripped her foot in tears, his heart burning in his chest.

"You performed admirably during the annual hunt, I must admit. I couldn't get enough of her little arrogant face," she said, helping him up. She kissed him voraciously. Cyrus was dull, feeling the soft lips against his own, their tongues intertwined as their saliva mixed, too engraved in his self-lamentation to enjoy anything.

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"Each time you manage to pull off our little ventures, there will be a reward waiting for you. Work hard, and you'll soon gather enough to ensure your father's freedom. Who knows, you might even earn some extra rewards in the process..." she bit his ear and then left.

Cyrus stood frozen on the spot with a little card in hand. It was a storage unit for Karmic ores. The amount within left him trembling in shock.

The following day, Cyrus resumed his training. Leora sat quietly reading a book as she supervised his session.

"Now, onto the spell, Forge. Focus, visualize the weapon that best suits you, and then craft it with your magic," Leora's words echoed in his mind. "Control, it's all about control. Control your magic."

Cyrus fought against Bob. Unlike the first time, he didn't eat the mat quickly. After an intense exchange, Cyrus was sweating heavily. He had become stronger; now Bob had a hard time defeating him. Although it was mainly because Leora had somehow become reasonable and didn't ask Bob to go all out.

He waved his hands, his abnormal magic condensing into a thin blue shimmering blade. He slashed out, but the blade shattered into a myriad of particles. Bob's fist finally sent him biting the mat.

"Control, Cyrus. You're too dispersed. What do you have in mind?" Leora finally lifted her head from her book.

Cyrus paused. "Nothing," he said. From her expression, he was certain she didn't believe him, but fortunately, she resumed her reading as if nothing had happened.

Cyrus approached silently, curious about what she spent her days reading. When she wasn't beating him into a pulp, she seemed engrossed in her book. Spying on her, he had sometimes witnessed a change in expression, expressions he would never have seen in normal conversation. His curiosity was burning.

"What are you reading? Is it some kind of torture manual or something?" he asked with a smile.

"Indeed, and I really like this new one. I think tomorrow we will test it on you," she said without lifting her head.

Cyrus's eyes almost turned teary. This devil, she hadn't changed the slightest. "I thought girls were more into some kiss-me-kiss-you stuff," he said, getting changed.

"Who would waste their time reading such stupidity?"

"Why are you hiding it from me then?" Cyrus smirked, only to be sent flying by the golden rope. He flipped back to his feet, his body enveloped by a sky-blue hue. This was the spell Primal Armor, rippling like waves of water.

"Excellent. I think you're ready," she slapped her book closed. "We are leaving tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? Where are we going?" Cyrus chased after her, eager to know.

Leora turned to face him, her expression unreadable. "We're going on a mission. The queen has a task for us, and it's time to put your training to the test."

Cyrus felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. "What kind of mission?"

"You'll find out soon enough. Pack light and be ready at dawn," Leora replied, turning away once more.

As she walked away, Cyrus couldn't help but feel a surge of conflicting emotions. On one hand, he was eager to prove himself, to show that all his training had paid off. On the other, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being used, a pawn in a game he didn't fully understand.

He thought back to the queen's words, the promise of rewards for his service. The weight of the Karmic ore card in his pocket seemed to grow heavier. Was this the path to his family's freedom, or was he just digging himself deeper into a hole he couldn't escape?

Cyrus shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. He had come too far to back out now. Whatever this mission entailed, he would face it head-on. For his family, for his future, and perhaps, in some small way, for himself.